The criteria of this is not based on who drafted the best players, but the value of where they were picked, how much they played and how they performed. So in our case we have the best coach in the NFL who routinely puts players in the best position to win - this is not debatable - Belichick will have a guy like Fletcher (for instance) run to his left as soon as the ball is snapped to cover a running back in the flat (who is known for catching there). Then when the down is over he will have Fletcher come off the field for some other player to fill a roll that Fletcher couldn't do...and then that guy will be asked to cover ten feet of space because Fletcher can't do it.

Articles like this don't take into account the coaching of Belichick or the play of Tom Brady...nor does it take into account the number of selections we have had over the last five years. The Patriots had more draft selections over the last five years than anyone (I believe) and if not they were close to the top.

I don't think the Patriots are bad at drafting, but I don't think the cloud of superiority exists any longer either. So I do agree to an extent that they have done a good job where they are selecting, however there were years we walked into the draft with three second rounders and our first to play with and didn't come up with enough. It's a crap shoot.

This article only measures how well each pick has done, given drafting position. According to the article, New England is head and shoulders above #2 on the list. What this article doesn't mention is Trader Bill in action, creating numbers of new picks out of nothing, getting extra picks by all sorts of devices and trading fourth rounders away for characters such as Randy Moss. These factors would boost New England over the moon.

If this gives critics an argument for calling BB a somewhat weak tactician on the field because he walks in with oodles of talent sitting on his bench, so be it. It must be said that the Patriots scouting department is the most well funded in the NFL.

The criteria of this is not based on who drafted the best players, but the value of where they were picked, how much they played and how they performed. So in our case we have the best coach in the NFL who routinely puts players in the best position to win - this is not debatable - Belichick will have a guy like Fletcher (for instance) run to his left as soon as the ball is snapped to cover a running back in the flat (who is known for catching there). Then when the down is over he will have Fletcher come off the field for some other player to fill a roll that Fletcher couldn't do...and then that guy will be asked to cover ten feet of space because Fletcher can't do it.

Articles like this don't take into account the coaching of Belichick or the play of Tom Brady...nor does it take into account the number of selections we have had over the last five years. The Patriots had more draft selections over the last five years than anyone (I believe) and if not they were close to the top.

I don't think the Patriots are bad at drafting, but I don't think the cloud of superiority exists any longer either. So I do agree to an extent that they have done a good job where they are selecting, however there were years we walked into the draft with three second rounders and our first to play with and didn't come up with enough. It's a crap shoot.

So far we have seen a couple of different QUANTITATIVE assessments of team draft performance over a prolonged period. On each case the Patriots are in the top 5 or 6 in the league. Even though these have been calculated using different methodologies it is interesting that the Pats end up grading very well. It is also interesting that in spite of attempts at objective quantitative analysis there are many here who not only think the BB is not good at it but they claim he is downright bad. Such assessments are NECESSARILY relative because it is a comparison against all other teams. But never mind that the performance of all other teams. To these folks it doesn't matter how "bad" everyone else is. All that matters is BB is "bad". Even if he is better than 26-31 other teams he is still "bad".

So far we have seen a couple of different QUANTITATIVE assessments of team draft performance over a prolonged period. On each case the Patriots are in the top 5 or 6 in the league. Even though these have been calculated using different methodologies it is interesting that the Pats end up grading very well. It is also interesting that in spite of attempts at objective quantitative analysis there are many here who not only think the BB is not good at it but they claim he is downright bad. Such assessments are NECESSARILY relative because it is a comparison against all other teams. But never mind that the performance of all other teams. To these folks it doesn't matter how "bad" everyone else is. All that matters is BB is "bad". Even if he is better than 26-31 other teams he is still "bad".

Funny how that works out.

+1

I posted the following a few days ago:

Saw an interesting stat. From 1961 to 2000 - over 39 years - with all their high draft picks over those years, given the team's mostly abysmal record, the Patriots drafted only 16 All-Pros. From 2000 to 2013 - a 13 year stretch - the Patriots drafted 9 All-Pros (Brady, Seymour, Light, Samuel, Wilfork, Mankins, Gostkowski, Mayo, and Gronkowski). This list may even grow over the next couple of years as some of the newer draftees mature. I find this quite surprising, especially given the Patriots' generally poor draft position in the first round over this period.

Someone corrected me and added McCourty to that list as well, making it 10 All-Pros during BB's tenure. So far! BUT, if your criteria is a Super Bowl victory every year, then nothing BB does will ever satisfy you. Never mind that Brady and BB's team selection and coaching have led them to a winning season and playoffs just about every year or that Brady has been to more Super Bowls than any QB in the history of the game. All irrelevant facts if you actually believe that had BB-the-GM only drafted better, they could have won more Super Bowls. What can you say to this? Of course we all want more rings for Brady and the team. But most of us are overjoyed that this GM and coach gives us an opportunity to compete at the highest level every single year, rain or shine, and never uses injuries as an excuse. There is no other team that even comes close in the league. Proud to be a fan!

Rob Gronkowski, TE (42nd overall pick in 2010): Injuries have impacted his playing time the past two years but it’s still worth noting that in his four years Gronkowski has managed 3,303 snaps for the Patriots. In that time he has established himself as the premier tight end in the NFL and one of few capable of contributing as both a receiver and blocker.

+1.5: Getting much more than you bargained for!

Sebastian Vollmer, OT (58th overall pick in 2009): While Vollmer himself has battled injuries at times, he’s still amassed 3,943 snaps and developed into arguably the top right tackle in the league. Sure the health problems aren’t ideal, but we’ll take a career grade of +97.2 over his first five years.

Devin McCourty, S (27th overall pick in 2010): A position shift from cornerback (where he was good) to safety (where he is very good) has seen McCourty fly under the radar as one of the very best deep safeties in the league. He may not have been what they expected but he has been exceptional.

+1.0: The scouts nailed it!

Julian Edelman, WR (232nd overall pick in 2009): Whether it be on special teams, defense, or offense, Edelman has performed a number of roles for the Patriots. What’s more is that he’s performed admirably, especially in 2013 where he had a breakout year as a receiver as he emerged from the shadow of Wes Welker. In the seventh round, that’s a big win.

Brandon Spikes, LB (62nd overall pick in 2010): As a two-down player who attacks the ball carrier, Spikes might be the best player there is. For me, given he was taken with the last pick of the second round, I can take that. He may have never developed into a legitimate every-down option but his work was good enough to turn 2,464 career snaps into a +39.8 grade.

Aaron Hernandez, TE (114th overall pick in 2010): Whatever you can say about Hernandez off the field (and there is a lot) there’s no denying that, on the field, he was a true game-changer. In fact, in his 2,288 career snaps he managed a very impressive +25.9 grade. Knowing what we know now you might question the pick, but even so the Patriots got a lot more out of him than the average fourth-rounder.

Nate Solder, OT (17th overall pick in 2011): Getting better every year he’s been in the league, Solder has solidified the left tackle spot in the wake of Matt Light’s retirement and become one of the best young tackles in the game.

+0.5: Never hurts to find a solid contributor

Brandon Deaderick, DT (248th overall pick in 2010): Not every selection has to be a superstar. Deaderick was a below-average lineman but he was able to last 1,111 snaps without becoming a liability. You rarely get that much out of your seventh-rounders.

Stevan Ridley, RB (73rd overall pick in 2011): Time will tell just how good Ridley is but as a runner he certainly has the moves. The fumbling has limited his touches and makes this grade closer to neutral than it should have been.

Marcus Cannon, OL (138th overall pick in 2011): The former fifth-rounder has shown an ability to play guard and tackle when the team has needed him, and do both reasonably well. Given he’s in the early stages of his career, that bodes extremely well for him jumping up a category at some point.

0.0: It could have been worse

Brandon Tate, WR (83rd overall pick in 2009): Didn’t become the threat on offense he was meant to be but added enough with his returning that he gets the neutral grade.

Myron Pryor, DT (207th overall pick in 2009): Flashed some subpackage pass rush but injuries ensured he never really built on a promising 559-snap career as a Patriot.

Darryl Richard, DT (234th overall pick in 2009): Would spend two years with the team. One on injured reserve and the other on the practice squad.

Zoltan Mesko, P (151st overall pick in 2010): Just about scrapes into this category. A good but far from great punter during his time in New England.

Thomas Welch, OT (209th overall pick in 2010): Would have two stints with the team after declining an initial chance to be on their practice squad.

Ted Larsen, OL (206th overall pick in 2010): Likely destined for the practice squad as a rookie before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed him on waivers.

Kade Weston, DT (249th overall pick in 2010): Seventh-rounder who spent year one on injured reserve before being released.

Shane Vereen, RB (56th overall pick in 2011): Is a threat catching the ball out of the backfield but while his +14.2 grade is impressive he needs to play more than the 605 snaps he’s managed. If he keeps his 200 snaps per year average up he’ll be dropping a category.

Markell Carter, DE (194th overall pick in 2011): Sixth-rounder who spent a year on the practice squad before being released.

Malcolm Williams, CB (220th overall pick in 2011): Taken in the seventh, Williams would last two seasons with the team without making an appearance on defense. Did manage two special teams tackles.

-0.5: That pick was not put to good use

Patrick Chung, DB (34th overall pick in 2009): Eased into things as a rookie, Chung would go onto start the next three years but never brought the kind of assured play that you want from a safety. A minor disappointment even if the team got plenty of action out of him.

Rich Ohrnberger, OG (123rd overall pick in 2009): Hung around for a while but in only featuring on 56 offensive snaps, he didn’t offer much of a return on a fourth-round pick.

George Bussey, OG (170th overall pick in 2009): Waived after one year with the team, spending nearly all of it on injured reserve.

Jake Ingram, LS (198th overall pick in 2009): If you’re going to take a long snapper in any draft then my feeling is they should see out their contract at the very least.

Jermaine Cunningham, DE (53rd overall pick in 2010): Made a decent impression as a rookie but clearly didn’t impress the coaching staff following on from that, being limited to a largely situational role where he was miscast as a sub package rusher from the tackle spot.

Zac Robinson, QB (251st overall pick in 2010): Never caught on and was released without the option of joining the practice squad.

Ryan Mallet, QB (74th overall pick in 2011): Always dangerous to spend a value pick on a guy you don’t intend to see the field. Mallet was an insurance policy that the team never had to cash in and looks like offering the team nothing on the third-round pick they spent on him.

Lee Smith, TE (159th overall pick in 2011): Never ideal when a fifth-rounder is released during his rookie year.

-1.0: What a waste!

Darius Butler, CB (41st overall pick in 2009): Has gone on to have success elsewhere but was never a favorite of the Patriots’ coaching staff. Much more was expected of him and while he didn’t grade out badly, 921 snaps from a 41st overall pick isn’t a good return.

Tyrone McKenzie, LB (97th overall pick in 2009): A chance was taken on McKenzie but it was a gamble that didn’t pay off as he managed zero defensive snaps during his time with the team.

Taylor Price, WR (91st overall pick in 2010): Third-rounder who would get on the field for just 44 snaps. Another swing and a miss on a receiver in the middle rounds.

-1.5: The scouts/ coaches failed, big time!

Ron Brace, DT (40th overall pick in 2009): Some saw him as the best 2009 Boston College defensive tackle. He wasn’t and while the Patriots kept him around for a while he could never break a pretty lackluster rotation, ending up playing just 494 snaps that earned a -6.1 grade.

Ras-I-Dowling, CB (33rd overall pick in 2011): Second-round pick cut two years into his career? Yep that’s a whiff.

This article only measures how well each pick has done, given drafting position. According to the article, New England is head and shoulders above #2 on the list. What this article doesn't mention is Trader Bill in action, creating numbers of new picks out of nothing, getting extra picks by all sorts of devices and trading fourth rounders away for characters such as Randy Moss. These factors would boost New England over the moon.

If this gives critics an argument for calling BB a somewhat weak tactician on the field because he walks in with oodles of talent sitting on his bench, so be it. It must be said that the Patriots scouting department is the most well funded in the NFL.

I'd move Hernandez down the list to neutral. Say what you will but the reason no other team touched him was because of the off field stuff and it turns out the other teams were right in the end. So, for the talent on the field ignoring the off field stuff neutralizes that pick.

You also forgot T. Wilson who I'd give a -2 for. I mean talk about a massive reach that was destined to bust. Taking a projecting mid-late day 3 in the middle of the 2nd and having to draft his replacement the year after in the 3rd? Yeah that's a -2

I'd move Hernandez down the list to neutral. Say what you will but the reason no other team touched him was because of the off field stuff and it turns out the other teams were right in the end. So, for the talent on the field ignoring the off field stuff neutralizes that pick.

You also forgot T. Wilson who I'd give a -2 for. I mean talk about a massive reach that was destined to bust. Taking a projecting mid-late day 3 in the middle of the 2nd and having to draft his replacement the year after in the 3rd? Yeah that's a -2

I swear by lil 10 pound bearded baby Jesus

my apologies, but this was a problem to post the link and source. this is not my analysis, this is PFF ratings on the Pats draft record

I'd move Hernandez down the list to neutral. Say what you will but the reason no other team touched him was because of the off field stuff and it turns out the other teams were right in the end. So, for the talent on the field ignoring the off field stuff neutralizes that pick.

You also forgot T. Wilson who I'd give a -2 for. I mean talk about a massive reach that was destined to bust. Taking a projecting mid-late day 3 in the middle of the 2nd and having to draft his replacement the year after in the 3rd? Yeah that's a -2

I swear by lil 10 pound bearded baby Jesus

my apologies, but this was a problem to post the link and source. this is not my analysis, this is PFF ratings on the Pats draft record

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Yeah these new forums don't make it easy. I think they were pretty close with the exception of forgetting one massive mistake and rating one a bit higher than maybe they should have but overall I agree with them. When you add it all up that it shows BB to be just kind of neutral. Not nearly as good as some believe but not nearly as bad either. Those 2nd and 3rd rounds kill him though. Really since 05' he's been a below league average picker in the 2nd and 3rd round but he's been above average in the 1st, 4th, and 7th range. So..... what it basically comes down to is BB the coach makes BB the GM look so much better but when you take into account the bad FA choices over the years BB hasn't helped himself by picking the groceries.